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(No Model.) a Sheets-Sheet 1. A. EVRARD. ECLIPSING GUN ANDARMORED WELL FOR THE SAME.

Patented Mar. 22, 1887.

@nmemarx (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. A. EVRARD. EGLIPSING'GUN AND ARMORED WELL FOR THE SAME. No. 359.966.

Patented Mar. 22, 1887.

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3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(N 0 Model.)

A; EVRARD. EOLIPSING GUN AND ARMORBD WELL FOR THE SAME. No. 359,966.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED EVRARD, OF PARIS, FRANCE, ASSIGNOR TO TI 1E COMPAGNIE ANONYME DES FORGES DE CHATILLON ET GOMMENTRY.

ECLIPSING GUNAND ARMORED WELL FDR THE SAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 359,966, dated March 22, 1887.

(No model.)

To allwhom it may concern.- Be it knownthat I, ALFRED EvRARD,'of

Paris, in the Republic of France, have intimes they are of course exposed; but this ex= posure to direct fire is not the only danger,

since the cannon or the gunners are liable to injury from a vertical fire, they being, prior to the present improvement, accessible to shells and howitzer-balls, no matter howhigh the protecting-walls might be.

To give defence against shells and descending missiles is more particularly the object of the present invention. To this end the pit or well-hole (made, preferably, in level ground, so that there is nothing on the outside to reveal its position) is provided with a cover or ceiling of armor-plateand this cover is so constructed that it can be closed over the gun when the latter is lowered into the pit, a suitable opening being made in the cover or ceiling to permit the raising of the gun for firing. Preferably the coveris composed of plates movable with the gun-mounting, so as to leave a slot-like passage between for the gun or cannon, and shutters movable across the slot-like passage are provided for closing the same when desired. The shutters maybe worked by hand through any suitable mechanism, or they can be movedautomatically by mechanical means or through an electric escapement. At each end of the slot-like passage there is a curved piece for uniting the two parts of the support for the ceiling or cover and for protecting the person aiming the gun.

The accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, represent a gun and its mounting and armor constructed in accordance with the invention, Figure 1 being a longitudinal vertical section; Fig. 2, a half-plan and half-horizontal section, the shutters being withdrawn; Fig. 3, a vertical cross-section,

and Fig. 4 a plan with the shutters closed.

As shown, there is at the mouth of the pit a metal ring, A, like those of the glacis of armored turrets. Inside this are the two segmental plates B, between which is a long and narrow or slot-like opening for the passage of the gun. This opening can be closed when the gun is lowered into the pit by the metal plates or shutters 4, 4, and 4,which slide on rollers under the plates B, and are" adapted to be moved across the opening to close the same, or to be moved out ofthe way under the plates B. The movement is given by turning the crankhandles 6 6'6, which command the re spective shutters, by means of pinions engaging racks on the shutters.

The eclipsing gun-mounting in the center of the pit rests on the solid steel base D, which is firmly set in or secured to a foundation of artificial stone. The mounting is composed of a turn-table, E, and the lever-supports G,which turn upon the horizontal axis F,and in the upper ends of which the trunnions of the gunhave their bearings. The turn-table E is connected with the base by a tongue fitting in an undercut groovethe grooved part being made of two pieces bolted together, so that it may readily be placed in position with respect to the other part.

At the lower end of the leversiipports G is the counterpoise H, whose weight is greater than that of the cannon. G are connected by rods 1 with the cylinder J of a hydraulic brake, whereby the movement of the gun in recoil or in returning to its raised position is limited and moderated. The piston K of the brake is fixed in the middle of a bar fastened at both ends to the gunmounting parallel to the ways which guide the cylinder J. A pointing-rod, M, connects the rear part of the gun or cannon with the nut 2, which is moved up and down to give the necessary elevation to the gun. The nut is moved by revolving the vertical screw on which it is placed. This screw is connected by worm- The lever-supports gearing with a horizontal shaft,which is turned a by means of the crank-wheel 1. It is placed in the chord of an arc, whose center is thevation in firing. The position chosen may be that which is best suited for loading.

The distance through which the gun is moved up and down is sufficient to put the same into position for firing or to lower it below the ceiling-plates B when eclipsed or out of action. The gun is retained in its lowered position by a brake, whose strap encircles the pulley N. It is allowed to rise by virtue of the excess of weight in the counterpoise H on release of the brake by lifting through the handle 0 the small pressure-weight P of said brake.

The ceiling-armor is s'.pportedby a frame, Q, of plate and angle Iron. The frame comprises, principally, 3 two vertical wall-plates R, which contain the embrasure or gun-space 0 between them, the uprights Z, which are mounted on the annular base S, and to which the ends of the wall-plates R are fastened, and the four partition-plates R R, two on each side of the gun,'which partition-plates are fastened at their inner ends to the corresponding wall-plate R, and their outer ends are fastened to uprights on the annular base S. The space between the plates R It is occupied by the person or persons who aim the gun. .The spaces outside the said plates can be used for projectiles. The base S runs upon balls T, which roll in a track, U, fixed to the foundation of artificial stone.

The gun-mounting is turned by means of a circular rack, X, fixed to the foundation and engaged by pinions X, which are rotated by the systems V of crank-axles and bevel-gears. These systemsVare carried by a floor which is fastened to the turn-table E and rests upon the annular base S, so that it carries the latter with it by friction. This loose connection is used in place of a rigid one,in order to avoid so far as possible the transmission of the shocks of the projectiles.

The two parts of the frame Q are connected together at each end of the embrasure by a strong piece, Y, of horseshoe-iron. This piece is placed under the ring A, and is adapted to arrest projectiles that might enter the pit by enfilading the mbrasure.

The pointing and elevation of the cannon can be regulated at any time, but is best done when the cannon is lowered. The position of fire is best determined by contact of the counterpoise H with the base of the gun-mounting. The direction of pointing can be indicated upon a graduated circle on the base D of the gun=mounting.

The invention may of course be employed as part of the armament of a fort as well as in a plain.

Having now fully described my said inven-' tion, what I claim is- 1. The combination, with a cannon or gun mounted so that it can be raised and lowered,

and also be turned in different directions, and

an armor-plate cover provided with a slot-like opening for the passage of the gun and with movable shutters for closing the same, of a frame which supports said cover, an annular base distinct from the turn-table of the gunmounting, which base carries the said frame and cover, and a track for said base, substantially as described.

2. The combinatioinwith a cannon or gun of the character described and the armor-plate cover therefor, of the frame for supporting thesaid cover, composed of the two vertical wall plates-oue on each side of said gun-and the partitionplatestw0 for each wall-plate-extending outwardly from said wall-plate, and provided with a space between them which may be occupied by a gunner, substantially as set forth.

,3. The combination, with a gun or cannon of the character described, the armor-plate cover provided with a slot-like opening for the passage of the gun, and the frame supporting said cover and movable about a vertical axis, of the curved pieces of armor at the ends of and below the said opening, the said pieces being movable with said frame and connecting together the two parts thereof, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the verticallymoving gun and the segmental ceiling-plates separated by a slot-like opening for the passage of the gun, of shutters movable back and forth across said opening. those at the end of said opening being movable in parts inclined or oblique to the length of said opening, substantially as described. I

5. The combination, with the verticallymovable gun and the armor-ceiling provided with a slot-like opening for the passage of said gun, of the frame for supporting said ceiling, the shutters supported under said ceiling and movable back and forth across said opening, and the rollers for supporting and the gearing for moving said shutters, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the gun or cannon .of the character described, of the segmental ceiling-plates, between which is the slot-like opening for the passage of the gun, the frame supporting said plates, and the sliding shutters supported alternately under opposite plates, each shutter being movable the entire distance across said opening, substantially as described.-

.In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALFRED EVRARD.

\Vit-nesses:

J. Samar, J. A. COURNIER BILLIs.

ICC 

